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711.942/235

The Secretary of State to the Japanese Ambassador (Horinouchi)

WASHINGTON, July 26, 1939.

EXCELLENCY: During recent years the
Government of the United States has been examining the treaties of commerce and
navigation in force between the United States and foreign countries with a view
to determining what changes may need to be made toward better serving the
purposes for which such treaties are concluded. In the course of this survey,
the Government of the United States has come to the conclusion that the Treaty
of Commerce and Navigation between the United States and Japan which was signed
at Washington on February 21, 1911, contains provisions which need new
consideration. Toward preparing the way for such consideration and with a view
to better safeguarding and promoting American interests as new developments may
require, the Government of the United States, acting in accordance with the
procedure prescribed in Article XVII of the treaty under reference, gives
notice hereby of its desire that this treaty be terminated, and, having thus
given notice, will expect the treaty, together with its accompanying protocol,
to expire six months from this date.